In the interest of national security, the Government of India had asked all the cellular operators to block mobile phones with fake or invalid IMEI numbers from their networks.

The rule has been implemented starting Dec 01 2009. This means that people having unbranded (or Chinese) mobile phones without a valid IMEI number will not be able to use them on any of the GSM networks in India.

There is already a ban on the import of mobile phones with wrong IMEI. Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India already issued a Notification No.112 (RE-2008)/200-2009 dated 16th June 2009 to this effect.

There is now a clear directive from Government of India directing Operators not to process and reject calls from mobile handsets IMEI numbers not available in the updated GSMSA database or without IMEI Numbers or all Zeros from 30.11.2009.

As Cellular Service Companies in both prepaid and postpaid plans have to check IMEI on their computers. In the interest of security of nation the calls from mobile handsets with IMEI numbers not available in the updated GSMSA database or without IMEI Numbers or all Zeros are not to be processed and rejected

International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number is a unique 15-digit code on every GSM and WCDMA and iDEN mobile phone. You can type *#06# on your mobile and your IMEI number will be displayed.

You can check the authenticity of your mobile’s IMEI number here. Alternatively, SMS “IMEI <15digitnumber>” to 57886 and the SMS reply will provide the brand name and the model number for which this IMEI number was originally allotted.

IMEI number can be used to track a mobile phone. Terrorists and other anti social elements will not be able to use fake mobile phones over Indian cellular networks now. Thus, empowering the government to track them down when needed.